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By Liam Verster
High Wildfire Risk

Spallumcheen banning campfires Thursday

Aug 2, 2022 | 4:05 PM

Spallumcheen is the latest community to announce a ban on campfires to coincide with the order affecting the entire Kamloops Fire Centre.

Effective at noon Thursday, Aug. 4, campfires, along with other open burnings and specific items like fireworks and tiki or outdoor torches, will not be permitted in the township.

Spallumcheen is the second area community after Enderby to announce a campfire ban today (Aug. 2) in response to the B.C. Wildfire Service’s announcement of a campfire ban across the Kamloops Fire Centre. Vernon and Coldstream made announcements last week.

The ban encompasses campfire, fireworks, burn barrels and cages, tiki or other torches, sky lanterns, any open burning, chimneas, outdoor stoves, and portable campfire apparatuses.

The bans will remain in effect until October 15, or until the B.C. Wildfire Service rescinds the order.

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Anyone found in contravention to the order could be fined up to $1,150, be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. Additionally, if a fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the individual may have to pay for the associated firefighting costs.

by Liam Verster
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